Spathiphyllum plant named ‘Jumbo’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plant named Jumbo, characterized by its tall, upright plants; large leaves that are held upright to horizontal to the petiole; moderate vigor and growth rate; numerous large white spathes that are positioned above the foliage on strong and erect peduncles; and long-lasting inflorescences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSpathiphyllum plant, botanically known as Spathiphyllum hybrid, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Jumbo.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned and controlled breedingprogram conducted by the Inventor in de Kwakel, The Netherlands. Theobjective of the breeding program is to create new Spathiphyllumcultivars with dense growth habit and attractive leaf and spathecoloration and form.

The new cultivar originated from a cross by the Inventor between theSpathiphyllum hybrid cultivar Ceres, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,844, and an unnamed selection of Spathiphyllum cochlerispathum as themale or pollen parent. The cultivar Jumbo was discovered and selected bythe Inventor in April, 1995 as a plant within the progeny of the statedcross in a controlled environment in de Kwakel, The Netherlands.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in de Kwakel, TheNetherlands, the following differences between the new Spathiphyllum andthe female parent, the cultivar Ceres, have been observed:

1. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum are larger than plants of thecultivar Ceres.

2. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum are not as freely branching as plantsof the cultivar Ceres.

3. Leaves of plants of the new Spathiphyllum are lighter green and moreoval-shaped than leaves of plants of the cultivar Ceres.

4. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum have larger but fewer inflorescencesthan plants of the cultivar Ceres.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in de Kwakel, TheNetherlands, the following differences between the new Spathiphyllum andthe male parent, an unnamed selection of Spathiphyllum cochlerispathum,have been observed:

1. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum are smaller than plants of theunnamed selection of Spathiphyllum cochlerispathum.

2. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum are more freely branching and aredenser than plants of the unnamed selection of Spathiphyllumcochlerispathum.

3. Leaves of plants of the new Spathiphyllum are lighter green and moreoval-shaped than leaves of plants of the unnamed selection ofSpathiphyllum cochlerispathum.

4 Spathes of plants of the new Spathiphyllum are white whereas spathesof plants of the unnamed selection of Spathiphyllum cochlerispathum aredark green in color.

Asexual propagation by divisions and tissue-culture of the new cultivarat de Kwakel, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features ofthis new Spathiphyllum plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Spathiphyllum has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensity,without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of Jumbo. These characteristics incombination distinguish Jumbo as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Tall, upright plants.

2. Large leaves that are held upright to horizontal to the petiole.

3. Moderate vigor and growth rate.

4. Numerous large white spathes that are positioned above the foliage onstrong and erect peduncles.

5. Long-lasting inflorescences.

Plants of the new Spathiphyllum can be compared to plants of thecommercial Spathiphyllum cultivar Sensation (not patented). Inside-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in de Kwakel, TheNetherlands, the following differences between the new Spathiphyllum andthe cultivar Sensation have been observed:

1. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum are more freely branching and denserthan plants of the cultivar Sensation.

2. Leaves of plants of the new Spathiphyllum are lighter green thanleaves of plants of the cultivar Sensation.

3. Spathes of plants of the new Spathiphyllum are brighter white andmore oval in shape than spathes of plants of the cultivar Sensation.

4. Plants of the new Spathiphyllum flower earlier than plants of thecultivar Sensation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which more accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Spathiphyllum.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical potted plant of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet comprises a close-up viewof the front surface of a typical inflorescence of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet comprises a close-upview of the rear surface of a typical inflorescence of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph on the left of the third sheet comprises a close-up viewof the upper surface of a typical young leaf of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph on the right of the third sheet comprises a close-up viewof the lower surface of a typical young leaf of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph on the left of the fourth sheet comprises a close-up viewof the upper surface of a typical mature leaf of ‘Jumbo’.

The photograph on the right of the fourth sheet comprises a close-upview of the lower surface of a typical mature leaf of ‘Jumbo’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe 14-month old plants grown in de Kwakel, TheNetherlands, in a glass greenhouse under typical commercial conditionswith day and night temperatures averaging 22 to 19° C., respectively,and light levels of about 22,000 to 28,000 lux.

Botanical classification: Spathiphyllum hybrid cultivar Jumbo.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Spathiphyllum hybrid cultivar Ceres, disclosed in U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,844.

Male parent.—Unnamed selection of Spathiphyllum cochlerispathum.

Propagation:

Type.—By tissue culture.

Time to initiate roots, tissue-cultured microcutting.—About 15 days at23° C.

Root description.—Freely branching, numerous fleshly lateral roots.

Plant description:

Plant shape.—Upright, inverted triangle, symmetrical.

Growth habit.—Erect when young, becoming more outwardly arching asleaves develop. Appropriate for 21 to 35-cm containers.

Plant height.—About 90 cm.

Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.

Growth rate.—Moderate.

Time to finishing.—About 14 months are required to produce a finished21-cm plant from a rooted tissue-cultured plantlet.

Foliage description.—Quantity of leaves: About 43. Shape: Lanceolate.Aspect: Mature leaves held upright to perpendicular to petiole. Length:About 43.5 cm. Width: About 26 cm. Apex: Apiculate, apex is curved.Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous and slightly glossy,veins slightly sunken; rugose. Petiole: Length: About 37.5 cm. Diameter:About 2 cm. Geniculum: Length: About 3.75 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.Angle: Straight. Color: Young, upper surface: Close to 144A. Young,lower surface: Close to 138B to 138C. Mature, upper surface: Close to137B to 137C. Mature, lower surface: Close to 138A to 138B. Venation,upper surface: Midvein same as leaf surface; lateral veins, close to144A. Venation, lower surface: Midvein same as leaf surface; lateralveins, close to 144B. Petiole: Close to 138A. Geniculum: 144B.

Inflorescence description:

Inflorescence arrangement.—Large concave spathes with spadices heldabove the foliage. Numerous flowers arise from leaf axils. Floweringcontinuous. Flowers persistent.

Longevity.—Spathes are long-lasting, generally maintaining white colorfor about six weeks on the plant depending on light and temperaturelevels.

Spathe.—Appearance: Leathery. Angle: Erect, upright. Shape: Lanceolate.Apex: Apiculate; elongated apex cirrhous. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire.Length: About 30 cm. Width: About 16.5 cm. Aspect: Concave, curvingtowards the spadix. Color: Immature spathes, both surfaces: 144A. Maturespathes, front surface: 155A; apex and distal midvein, green, 144A.Mature spathes, rear surface: 155A; midvein, 137D to 144A; lateralveins, 145A.

Spadix.—Axis: Longitudinal. Cross section: Rounded. Length: About 14.5cm. Diameter: About 2.5 cm. Color: 158D.

Flowers.—Quantity per spadix: About 600. Shape: Conical. Size: About 2mm. Stigma shape: Rounded. Pollen color: Mature, 158D; after senescence,159A.

Peduncle.—Aspect: Strong and erect. Length: About 59 cm. Diameter: About6 mm. Color: 138A.

Seed.—Seed development has not been observed.

Disease resistance: Resistance to known Spathiphyllum diseases has notbeen observed on plants of the new Spathiphyllum.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plantnamed Jumbo,